Fuel grate



Sept. 29, 1931. F. A. AUSTIN 1,

' FUEL GRATE Filed Nov. 14, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WIT/v5 a s B Y wvym flrToRNEYs Sept. 29, 1931. AU$T|N 1,825,040

FUEL GRATE Filed Nov. 14. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 L QQM Z TToRNEYs,

Sept. 29, 1931. us 1,825,040

. FUEL GRATE Filed Nov. 14, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 F. A. AUSTIN Sept. 29, 1931.

FUEL GRATE Filed Nov. 14, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fi 5155 o flrromvz YS Patented Sept. 29,1931

W A ES: O CE- rBAnK A. AUSTIN, or sYR dtrsnnnwYoRx FUEL GRATEV? I Application filed November 14, sjeri alfNo. 407,118.

This invention. relates to a heater-grate for receiving and supporting coal, coke and other solid fuels for combustion adapted to replace impaired or less efficient grates in 8} old or new heaters.

In the use ofh'ot water or steam for heating purposes the heatersareusually provided with water chambers surrounding the combustion chamber and extending from approximately the level of the fuel grate upwardly t thetop of'or above said chamber, the cold water to be heated beingintroduced into the lower part of the water chamber to e be heated by the combustion of the fueland .15 circulated through the'heating system either as hot water or steam;

Likewise in the use of warm air for heating purposes the combustion chamber is surrounded more or less byan air chamber ex-. tending from approximately the level of the grate some distance above'the combustion chamber, the cold air 'belng usually introduced into thelower portion of the air cham her to be heated by the combustion of'the fuel in the combustion chamber. i v

It therefore follows that the efiiciencyof the heater, whether hot water, steam or warm air, depends largelyupon the ability to, and rapidity of transfer of the heat from the products of combustionto the cold wateror cold air in the "water or air chambers-1n transit from the bottom of said chambers to the exit openingsthereof leading tothe distributing pipes.

It is also well knownthat'the efliciency of transfer of the heat from the "combustible products to the water or air is dependent largely upon aproper distribution of the air draft through thegrate and'also upon the distribution of the ash residue upon the grate. The main object of the present invention is to provide a fuel rate constructed and arranged and adapted to be adjusted in such manner as to efiect a more complete combustion ofthe fuel, a more rapid transfer of the heat from the combustion chamber; to the heating agent. a moreleflicient separationof the ash froin'the fuel and a moreefficient dis- '50 tribution of the air. from the underside up- I A further object is to enable thes e sections .to be placed in operative position without the shaken through difi'erent arcs, of'moveinent wardly through the "grate and fuel than has heretofore been practiced. V a .z' Anotherobject is to. constructIt-he grate in sections'of'such size thatztheymaybeeasily w and 1 quickly installed ;in place withinwthe heater through the; fuel inlet, or ashyoutlet without disturbing any of'the other parts of the heater other than merely opening. the fuel dooror theashdoor.

use of special tools; I

A further object is to pr0videsimpleand efficient means whereby athe grate may be or to a dumping position without changing the plane of movement thereof. e 1 Other obj sets and uses; relating to specific parts of the gratewill "be brought out; in the following description. 1 7n Inlthe drawings? '1 f Figure 1 is atop plan of? heater. grate em bodying the various features of myinvention,*the grate sections .beingshownin their normal positions for receiving the fuel; l 7a Figure 2 is a vertical sectional-'viewytaken in the plane of line 2-2, Figure 1. V s i 4 Figure. 3 is a' horizontal detail-sectional view partly broken away, taken'inthe plane ofline 33,Figure2. 3 F'gure 4 is a horizontal detail sectional view taken in the planev of line 44,: Figure 2.

Figures 5 and 6 are horizontal sectional views taken respectively "in the planes of lines 55 and 6-.6,'Figui*e 2. i p

Figure 7 is a vertical detail sectional View taken in the plane of line 7+7, Figure 5.

9 Figure 8 is a detail-vertical sectional view taken in the. planeof -line*8.8, Figure 7. I

Figure 9 is a detailverti'cal sectional View taken in the plane of-line 9'9, Figurel. I

Figures 10 and 11 are enlarged detail sectional views takenrespectively in the planes of:lines:10,-10'and 11-11 Figure 9. r v

'Figure12is an enlarged. horizontal sec- 'tionalview taken in the plane of line 1212,

Figure, 9'. V

rear sockets oropenings for receiving the ends of the grate bars or suitable supporting rods for other forms of grates and applicant has sought to utilize these sockets or openings as far as is practicable in the different types of heaters for the reception of his grate-supporting means which, in this instance consists of-a'pair'of similar rods or bars.1, either tubular or solid, arranged in the same horizontal plane in parallel transversely spaced relation to extend forwardly and rearwardly of the ash box with their front and rear ends resting respectively in the preformed sockets or openings eatin the front and rear upper portions ofthe ash box -A-, partly shown in Figure 6.-

These grate supporting. bars preferably consist of cylindrical tubes of uniform diameters having their front ends provided with adjustable collars 1 adapted to engage the inner face of the front wall of the ash box A to hold the'rods againstforward dis placementwhile the rear sockets aare usually closed at the rear ends and serve to hold the rods 71'' against rearward displacement. g I A skeleton grate-supporting frame or spider 2r-, which is of more or less rectangular formi n top plan, is supported in a manner presentlydescribed upon the upper faces of the rods -lj substantially co-axial with the axis of the combustion chamber (not shown) and comprises a central'tubular hub having a plurality of, in this instance four, radial spokes or arms '5 arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferential ly-andconnectedl intermediate their ends by angulartie bars or webs '-6V which const1- tute an outrigging for supporting and holding the arms5 against vertical and circumferential movement relatively to each other.

The opposite sides of each of the webs or tie bars 6 converge outwardly at approximately right angles to the radial arms 5 so that their apexes will be disposed approximately midway between the radial arms; i I

The apexes as 7' are preferably truncated and when the skeleton frame is placed in operative position its radial arms 5 will be disposed at angles of approximately 45 degrees to the supporting rods 1 thus bringing two ofthe opposite apexes in a plane substantially midway between the rods 1 while the other two apexes will be disposed'at the outside of said rods.

The radial arms 5 and webs 6 connecting them extend diagonallyzacross the upper faces of the supporting rods 1 as shown more clearly in Figure 6, said arms 5 being provided at their outer ends with inwardy extending T -shaped slots 8' as shown in FiguresG, 7 and 8 for receiving the T shaped upper edges'of a corresponding number of extension slides 9 which project downwardly through the open lower sides of the slots -8 some distance below the lower edges of the arms 5 and are provided in their lower edges with concave seats 10 adapted to engage the upper faces of the rods 1 for centering and holding the skeleton frame 2 in its adjusted position.

These slides '9 are elongated radially and may be made of any suitable height or vertical depth for'supporting the frame 2 and grate sections carried thereby at the desired level according to the construction of the heater in which the grate is placed.

, The object of these sliding extension s-9- is to enable the same grate-supporting frame +'2'to be used in heaters of different sizes where'the spacing of the supporting rods 1may vary and also to permit the replacement of said slides by others of different vertical heights according to the various levels of the combustion'chambers of different heaters, said slides being held in their adjusted positions by set screws ll' which are engaged in threaded apertures therein and with overlying portions of the arms 5- as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The upper surfaces of the apexes 7 of the frame .2 are substantially flat and are disposed in a plane some distance above that of the upper surfaces of the radial arms 5- to form out-bearingsfor the next adjacent superposed grate sections presently do scribed.

The upperend of the hub 3 of the frame 2 extends some distance above the horizontal plane of theupper faces of the apexes 7-+ and is-provided with a plurality of, in this instance four, similar circumferentially elongated peripheral recesses 12- registering with the arms 5- of the frame 2 for receiving pendent flanges on the inner ends of the'next adjacent super posed grate section and thereby locking'said T section'to the supporting frame against relative rotary movement thereon, the arms being provided with lugs 13 projecting upwardly from their upper faces adjacent the periphery of said flanges to hold the sections against radial displacement as shown more clearly in Figures 6 and 7.

The hub 3" of the spider frame --2- is provided with a central cylindrical bore for receiving the pendent hub of one of the superposed grate sections in a manner presently described as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 7.

A plurality of, in this instance four, similar and interchangeable grate quadrant-segments --14 are assembled edge to edge circumferentially upon the suporting frame -2 around the upper portion of the hub 3 and are provided at their inner ends with'pendent flanges -'-15- complementary to the recesses -'12 in which they are operatively seated withtheir lower edges abutting against the inner. faces ofthe corresponding lugs 13Jthereby locmng said segments against relative circumferential or ratdial displacement as shown more clearly in Figures 6 and 7.

These segments are provided with pendent of the supporting frame 2- so that each segment will be supported at four points, one near the hub 3-, a second near the outer end of the corresponding arm 5 just beyond theadjacent portions of the tie webs 6-, the third and fourth being uponthe upper surfaces of the apexes 71- at oppo- I site sides of the corresponding segmcntfrom its normal horizontal plane. v

The opposite edges of-each segment converge inwardly from the periphery toward.

the center of the grate and are provided with recesses 17, each ofwhich is adapted to register with that of the next adjacent segment to form relatively, large openings through which the ashes may be dumped when the superposed grate segments are adjusted to certain positions in a manner presently described.

These grate segments 14 extend radially some distance beyond the marginal webs 6 and are provided with radial slots 18 extending inwardly from the periphery thereof to permit ashes to pass therethrough, the intermediate portions of said segments being provided with additional parallel slots -19 arranged in circumferentially spacedrelation with the central slot substantially radial to the axis of the hub --3 to further provide for the discharge of ashes therethrough.

As illustrated more clearly in Figure 5, the peripheriesof the segments -lel are concentric with the axis of the hub 3- while the opposite edges of each segment will be approximately tangential to the arcs of curvature oftheir inner edges and therefore divergent outwardly, the outer portions of the segments beyond the openings +17- be-c disposed in substantially radial planes and in juxtaposed relation to form intervening slots corresponding approximately to the slots 18. v t

'The upper surfaces of these segments 14. aredisposed inlsubstantially the same horizontal plane except that they are provided intermediate their outer and inner edges with raised bosses VQO arranged equaldistances from the axis of the hub -3' and having their upper surfaces convexed circumferentially to form out-bearings for the adjacent portions of the superposed rotatable grate sections presently described.

Each segment is provided with a plurality of, in thisinstance four, ofthe'bosses -20- arranged respectively near the meeting edges of the segments and equal distances from and at opposite sides of the radial centers thereof as shown'more clearlyvin Figures 2 and 5.

If desired, the opposite edges of each segment along the adjacent recesses 17- may be serrated at 21. so that a portion of the ashes may fall through the grooves thereof as shown in Figure 5. p

- A; hub i-22 is extended from the top downwardly through the-cylindrical bore of thehub ,3 and is provided with a central air draft opening 23 from top to bottom thereof,v the upper end of said hub being provided with an annular enlargement 24 overhanging the upmr end of the hub 8-' I and ournaled thereon through the medium of anti-friction balls 25 to permit the hub 22 to be rotated with a minimum'amount of friction, said annular enlargement '.'24 being provided with a pendent annular flange +26 surrounding the bearings 24L to protect the same against accumulations of ashes and other foreign matter.

The perimeter of the extreme upperend of the hub 22 is preferably square or angular in'cross section, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, for receiving the hub as 27of rotatable grate section 28 havingdiamet rically opposite grate segments +fl9 integrally united to corresponding sides of the hub 27 and extending radially therefrom; Thehub-27 15 provided with a central square or angular openings 30 complemental-y to the squareupper end of the hub -22- for receiving the same and thereby locking the hub and grate section to each other against relative rotary movement and at the same time assuring simultaneous rotation of both of those parts when the hub is rotated or adjusted angularly about its axis in a manner hereinafter described.

The grate section 28- is of substantially the same diameter as theunderlyi-ng segmental grate composed of the segments 1 l buthe segments 29 are of less peripheral length than the segments 14l or in other words somewhat less than quadrants, the opposite edges of each segment 29 being ar ranged to diverge outwardly at equal angles to their longitudinal centers and approximately'tangential to a circle inscribed within the square openln-g 3() 1n the hub 27 so that when in their normal positions they will overlie and extend some distance beyond the corresponding discharge opening -17.

An additional hub 31 is placed over and upon the hub 27- to extend across the upper end of the hub 22 in spaced relation thereto, said hub 31 being provided with diametrically opposite radially projecting wings or segments 32 of substantially the same form as the segments 29 of the hub 27, the hub -31 and its segments 32 constituting another grate section having its wings or segments 32 extending radially at right angles to the center lines of the segments 29.

In other words both ofthese grate sections are rotatable and are arranged at right angles to each other and suitable means is provided for transmitting rotary motion from the grate section -28 to the grate section as For this latter purposethe hub 27 of the grate section 28 is provided with diametrically opposite peripheral recesses 3 l midway between the segments 29- and are preferably elongated circumferentially to receive complementary portions '35 on the inner ends of the segments 32 of the grate sections 33' so that when the la teris placed over and upon the hub of the section 28 the portions 35 will automatically enter the recesses S4 and thereby lock the two sections together to rotate in unison when the hub .22- is rotated.

It will be noted upon reference to Figures 1,2 and 3 that the segments 29 and 32-- of the sections 28 and 33 respectively are disposed in'substant-iallythe same hori zontal plane while the hub of the section -33 is elevated above that plane and capped over the upper end of the hub -22, the portion of the hub 3l overlying the upper end of the hub 23 being provided with perforations 36 to permit the passage of air from the interior of the ash box upwardly through the tubularhub 2:2- and thence into the combustion chamber.

An ash receiving and retaining ring 37- is placed telescopically over and upon the centra l hub 31- of the section 33- and is provided with a downwardly projecting marginal flange -8S resting upon the upper faces of the segments 29 and '32 around the hub -31 as shown more clearly in Figure 2, said ring being also provided with an upwardly projecting marginal bead -.-89 for retaining a limited quantity of the ash which may accumulate within the bead.

The lower side of the ring 37 within the marginal flange ,38 is provided with air channels l0 communicating with the central opening in the ring, the inner walls of which are arranged in spaced relation to the central portion of the hub -3l to al-' low the air to pass from the underside upwardly through the ring into the combustion chamber.

In like manner the wings 32 of the i V grate sections 83 are provided with slots --3 extending inwardly from the periphery thereof, the intermediate portions of said wings being provided with additional slots 44 arranged in parallel spaced relation in which the central slot is substantially radial to the axis of the grate as shown more clearly in Figure 1, the slots 18, ll

and l3- of the segments 1 l, -29

and 33 respectively being arranged in substantially uniformly spaced relation circumferentially while the slotsin the intermediate portions of said segments are also arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially but at an angle to the periphsl ts of their respective segments.

It will be observed upon reference to Figures l and 2 that the wings 29 and 32 of the grate sections 28 and 33 rest upon the raised bosses ''20 of the segments ll and are tnereby held in spaced relation to the underlying segments to allow clearance for the ashes and also to facilitate the breaking up :of any clinkers which may lodge upon the grate sections -14 the segments 29 and 32 as the latter are rotated or shifted circumferentially for shaking purposes.

It will also be noted upon reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 that when the grate sections 2S and 33 are placed in operative position the flanges 35 on the inner ends of the segments 82 will project into the corresponding recesses 34 in diametrically opposite sides of the grate sections -2, thereby locking the two sections 28 and 33 to each other against relative rotation with their respective segments 29- and 32 disposed in substantially'the same horizontal plane and in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially.

As previously stated, the segments -29 and 32 are of uniform circumferential between lUO width somewhat greater than thatof the openings l7 between the grate segments -1l and normally overlying said openings as shown in Figure 1, while the spaces between the said segments are slightly greater than the openings -17 to enable the ashes and clinker-s to be dumped when the sections 28 and -33- are shifted circumferentially to register the spaces between the segments29 and 32 with the openings The outside diameter of the ash supporting ring '37 is slightly less than theiradius of the grate sections 28 i and 33 and, when the ringis in operative position it will overlie adjacent interlocking portions of said sections thereby carrying a considerable portion of the main body of the ash and fuel and permitting the movable sectionsto be shifted circumferentially relatively to the ring 1n case the friction between the ring and fuel supported thereby should exceed that between the ring and sections, while the space 27- between the ring and hubot the grate section 38, together with the apertures 36 in the top of said hub, permit free circulation of air from the underside upburning out of the hub or ring. 7

. wardly to the fuel'to'reducethe liability of Shaking and dumping tically along and upon the hub 22 as may f be required upon different types of heaters, said collar being held in its adjusted position by a set screw i7 and also held'agai'nst downward displacement bya cotter key or pin i8, shown in Figures 2, 3 and &. 1

The outer end of thecrank arm 46e is provided with a series -oi,in this instance three, upwardly projecting pivotalipins 49 arranged at diflerent distances from the axis of the hub 22 for receiving the rear end of a forwardly projecting link 50 having its frontendpivotally con} nected by a pin or bolt -51"to the intermediate portion of a shaking lever 52-, shown moreclearly in Figures 1, 6 and ,9. The link -50' is extensible and for this purpose is composed of lengthwise sections 53 and 54' pivetally connectedrespe'ctively to the crank arm -461and to the hand lever -.52 and having their-ad acent ends'overlappingione upon the other and provided respectively-with a'plurallty of apertures 55 and ;56'forreceiving a clampingbolt 57-, the apertures :'55-

being arranged in equally spaced relation lengthwise of the section 53-wh1le the apertures -56 in the section are arrangedoneland va half times the distance apart than the apertures 55 soas to ob; tain relatively close adjustment of thesections, one upon the other.

The overlapping portions of the sections -53 and '54- are provided with flanges +58%- and .59+, respectively adaptedtoengage corresponding edges, of the sections 553* and i54 to guide them in theirladjustment,"one upon the other,'and also to hold them against relative rocking movement about the axis of the clamping bolt crank arm 46 may be provided with apertures for receiving acotter key or pin to hold the adjacent end of 'thelink 1=5.0-. against upward displacement. I j It willibe noted that the link +50% isfree to swing horizontally about the axis of the pivot 49',-t0- which it is connected, the oblj ect of such swinging movement being to permit the link to behrought through different If desired, the pivotal pins i9-on the parts of the ash box as'may be required for different types of-heaters'; I c

I The hand lever e 52- comprises lower and upper lengthwise sections.6ll and ..62-', thelower end of the section being pro.- vided with an angular socket '63.-. for re, ceiving a corresponding angular-upper end 6l of the lower section 6l .Thead jacent ends of the sections 61+ and 62' are provided with transverse apertures for receiving a clamping bol t' .65+= by which the sections are secured and held against endwise displacement while the'seatingof the head 64 in the socket '63 serves to 1 hold the sections against lateral displace ment. I l l a V The intermediate portion of the section 61 is provided with a lengthwise slot .66 for receiving the pivotal pin 751 and permitting the rocking movement of the hand lever while the link 50'. remains in a substantially horizontally plane is sliding engagement 'withthe upper-edge of the bracket The lower end of lever section 61 :is I provided with aball terminal +67 adapted to enter any ioneaof ase-ries of,.ini this instance three, sockets which areformed inthe upper sideof a supporting member as shown noreelearily in Figure 9, the lower ends of said sockets being provided Fwith branchop'enings 68 to allow the escape of ashes or other fo-reignmatter which may tend to lodge in the sockets,

*iThe front end of the-ring section r di -is arrangd in a vertically elongated. slot '66' =-in the lever section i',61- and 1s a mounted upon a reduced portion of the pivot'al bolt 51, said reduced portion "being also adapted to receive a spacing sleeve -.51 which isarrangedin ene of thelslots 6G and is-of greater length than the adjacent side wall of the slot -.66"-.-f;'.;to turn with the pivotal bolt when thelatter is tight- 'enedthereby preventing binding of the lever section -'54e-'agai-nst the oppositewalls of theslot -66. a

, The lever support ..69 is adapted to be V adjusted laterally in a horizontal plane to conform to difiierent positions or angles of adwas justment of the link -50- and hand lever 52 carried'thereby and for this purpose its rear end is pivoted by bolt'70* to an underlying flange -71 of a bracket 72 which in turn is secured by bolts -73-'to the outer face of the adjacent portion of the ash box -A as shown in Figure 9.

a This bracket 72 is provided with a forwar'dly projecting flange 74 adapted to enter any one of a series of, in this instance five, radial slots 75 in the rounded rear end of the lever sup-port .69', to assist said bolt in firmly holding the member 69-. in its adjusted position.

Q Assembly The main supporting rods or bars '1 are first placed in operative position in their respective sockets inthe front and rear portions of the ash box, usually at opposite sides of the ashdoor opening through which the members 1' .are passed, after whichthe spider frame 2.- is placed through the same door opening and upon the supporting bars 1+ in the position shown in Figure 6.

The slide members 9- are then adjusted along their respective arms until their concave seats -10 rest upon the underlying bars 1 and are then tightened inlplace by the set screws 11.

The lower grate sections -14 are then placed one by one through the fuel door onto the supporting frame 2- with their flanges 15-, engaged in their corresponding recess'es 12-+and against the adjacent lugs and at the same time causing the lugs 16.to be saddled upon the outer ends of thearms.5 as shown more clearly in Figures 6 and 7 thereby locking the grate sections to the underlying supporting frame +2? against lateral or radial displacement.

The hub section ,22 is then inserted through the fuel .door opening and placed in operative :position to extend through rthe framehub -51- with its upper end journaled upon the ballbearings 25'- ina man ner shown more clearly in Figure 2.

The grate section 28 is then inserted through the fuel. opening and placed upon the square upper end of the hub 22v thereby establishing a locking connection between said hub and grate section to cause the latter torotate as: the hub 22is turned about its axis." 1"- 'The grate section +33- is also inserted through the fuel opening and placed in operative positionwith its hub resting upon the hub of the section -28' and its wings 32 extended radially between the wings '29' of the sections 28, and its flanges 35 seated'in the recesses -'3l '-of the section -28 thereby locking the "two sections '-28 and -33 together against relative rotation while permitting both to be rotated by the angular movement of the hub 22 about its axis.

The ash supporting ring 37 is then inserted through thefuel opening and placed upon the hub of thevgrate section 33 around the perforated central portion of the hub as shown in Figure 2.

It is now clear that the supporting frame 2, grate segments 14, hub 22 and grate sections 28 and 33- together withthe' ash supporting ring 37 are all placed in operative positon in such manner as to be self-retaining bytheir own weight without the use of extra tools other than the means .for tightening the set screws 11v and 47.

When these parts have been assembled in the manner described the link 50- is attached to one or the other of the pivotal pins 4L9 and to the lever 52- which in turn is seated at its lower end in one or the other of the sockets 68 depending upon the degree ofangular movement required for shaking or dumping the grates.

For example, if only a slight angular movement is required the lever 52-will be placed in the innermost socket -68 and a greater angular movement is required for the dumping it will be placed in the second socket but if'complete dumping is required it will be placed in the third or outermost socket.

In either of these adjustments the backward and forward movement of the lever 52 will be transmitted through the link s50- to the crank arm ',46 and thence to thehub 22 which in turn will effect the corresponding angular movement of the grate section 28 and, through the inter locking connections shown in Figure 3, will cause the same angular movement of the grate section 33.

'-It is, of course, obvious that when'removingthe various elements of the grate the order of assembly described will be reversed.

If it should be necessary or desirable to extend the link 50 forwardly at a different angle from that shownthe lever supporting member 69+ may be removed by icosening the bolt 70.and replaced to register another one of its slotswith the flange i74. thereby adjusting the member 69 angularly to conform to the changed angle of the lever 50'which, of course, necessitates the changing of hand lever -52 to move forwardly and rearwardly in a substantially vertical plane.

lVhen the hand lever 52 is seated in the outermost socket 68--- it may be moved through a longer are than when in either of the other-sockets thus permitting the spaces betweenthe segments 28 and -33 to be registered with the openings 17 in the lowergrate,'.and allowing the ashes to be dumped through said openings, this dumping operation being expedited by limited oscillat-ions of the grate sections 28'- and On the other hand when the lever --52-is seated in either one of the inner sockets 68 its are of movement will be more lim- 'ited, thereby retaining the grate sections ly various "changes can bemadeinthe detail w spirit of-the invention.

' What Iclaim isr I 7 1. In a heater grate, a grate-supporting frame having a central tubularhub and arms radiatingoutwardly therefrom, and a plurality of grate segments mounted'edge to edge circumferentially around the hub, said frame and segments having interlocking connections for holding thesegments against radial displacement. I k a 2. In a heater grate, a grate-supportlng frame having a central tubular hub and arms radiating outwardly therefrom, and a plurality of grate segments'mountededge to edge circumferentially around the hub, said frame and segments having interlocking connections for holding the segments against radlal displacement, and interlocking connections between the segments and arms for holding said segments against circumferential movement relatively to the frame. 3. In a heater grate, agrate supportmg frame having a'central tubular h'ubandarms radiating outwardly therefrom, said arms having lengthwise slots,supporting members construction without dep'artingfrom the movable in said slots andadapted to rest upon the base of the heater, and agrate mounted upon the frame. f i

4'. In a heater grate, a grate-supporting frame havinga central tubular hub and arms extending outwardly therefrom 1n circumferentially' spacedrelation, frame-supporting members slida'ble along and upon sa d arms, and a plurality-of grate segments arranged edge to edge circumferentially upon the frame around the hub, said frame and segments being providedjwith interlockingcona nections for holding the segments against circumferential movement relatively to the frame.

5. In a heater grate, agrate-supporting frame having a central tubular hub and arms extending outwardly therefrom in circumferentially spaced relation, frame-supporting members slidable along'and upon'said arms, and a pluralityof grate segments arranged edge to edge circumferentially upon the frame around the hub, said frame and segments being provided with interlocking connections for holding the segments against radial movement relatively to the frame.

6. A grate-supporting frame comprising a tubular hub having a series of peripheral recesses arranged in uniformly spaced relation eircumferentially about its axis and aIcorrespending number of gratesegments mounted on the frame and provided with pendent lugs engaged n said recesses.

7, A; supporting-frame for heater grates comprising a tubular hub having a plurality of radially projecting arms arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially. webs connecting said arms and having their central portions provided with hearing surfaces disposed'in a plane above that of the arms and a;' plurality of grate segments mountedon the frame and arranged edge to edge circumferentially, saidsegment-s having their outer'ends resting upon-the raised hear ing surfaces of the webs: r 7 r V 8. A supporting-frame for heater'grates comprising a tubular hub having a plurality of radially projecting arms arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially,

. webs connecting said arms and having their 'centralportions providedwith bearing surfaces disposed' in a plane above that of the arms and a plurality of grate segments mounted on the frame and arranged edge'to edge circumferentially, said segments havmg their outer ends resting upon the raised bearing surfaces of the webs, and interlocking connections between said segments andthe hub of the frame to hold the segments against radial displacement. r

9. supporting-frame for heater grates comprising a tubular'hub having a plurality of radially projecting arms arranged in uniformly spaced relation circumferentially, webs connecting said arms and having their central portions provided with bearing surfaces disposed in a plane above that -of the arms and a plurality of grate segments mounted on the frame and arranged edge to edge circumferentially, said segments having pendent lugs saddled upon the arms of the fr'ameto hold the segments against circumferential movement relatively to the frame.

10. ln'a heatergrace,a frame having a central opening and outbearing surfaces ar ranged in uniformly spaced relation circum ferentially around the opening, grate segments mounted edge to edge circumferentially around and upon theframe and normally" resting uponsaidbearing sufaces, interlocking connections between'said segments and frame to-hold the segments against circumferential movementrelatively to the frame,

a hub rotatably mounted upon the central portion of the frame and extending. through the opening therein, a grate section mounted upon the upper end of the hub to rotatetherewith and provided with diametrically opposite wings, an additional grate sect on mounted upon the central portion of the first named grate section and provided with dialn etricalmounted upon the base of the heater to extend outwardly therefr and provided with a series of bearings at different distances from theaxis of thehub, a hand leveradapted -to'be' operably;. fulcrumed on either of said bearings for movement in opposite direct ons upon its fulcrum and means actuated ,by-the movement of said lever for effecting an angular movement of said hub and grate section car ied thereby.

12. Ina heater grate, a grate-supporting frame having a centralopening, a hub 01a:-

' na-led on the frame and extending through the opening; therein some distance below the frame, a grate section mounted on thehub to rotate therewith, a lever support operablv mounted upon the base of the heater to extend outwardly therefrom and. provided w th a series of bearings at different distances from the axis of the hub, a hand lever ada 3ii8l to be operably fulcrumed on either of said bearings for movement in opposite directions upon its fulcrum and means actuated by the movement of said lever for effecting an angular movement of said hub and grate section carried thereby, said fulcrumed member being ad ustable to d fferent positions abouta vertical 2tX1S, lI1Cl means for holdingthe member in itsiadjusted position.

13, In a heater grate, a non-rotatable main 7 grate and supporting-means therefor, in

combination with separate rotatable grate sections coaxial with said main grate and each. provided with diametrically opposite wings ove lying the main'grate, the wings of both sections being disposed in the same horirzontal plane, and means for. locking sa d grate sections to each other to cause them to rotate in unison. I i l t. The combination with a non-rotatable main grate having relatively large openings thcrethrough for the discharge of ashes, sun porting meansfor the main grate, addit onal grate sections rotatable about the axis of the main grate and provided with diametrically opposite wings movable into and out of registration w th said openings, the wings of both sections being disposed in the same horizontal plane, and means for locking said sections to each other tocause them to rotate in unison.

715. In a heater, a grate-supporting frame having a central opening and raised outbearing surfaces equal distances from the opening, ahub journaled on the frame and extending through said opening to rotate therein,'a main grate resting upon said raised bearing surfaces of the frame, interlocking connections between the main grate and frame to hold those parts against relative angular movement, said main grate being provided with relatively large openings through which the ashes may be dumped, a grate section mounted upon the hub to rtate therewith andprovided' with diametrically opposite wings movable into and out of registration with said openings, and means for effecting an angular movement of the hub. I

16. In a heater, frame-supporting means mounted upon and within the base of the heater, a grate supporting frame loosely mounted upon said supporting means for upward displacement therefrom, co-operative means between the frameand those supporting means for holding the frame against circumferential or lateral displacement from the supporting means, said frame being provided with a central opening, a hub loosely journaled on the frame for upward displacement and extended through said opening, a plurality of grate segments loosely mounted upon the frame for upward displacement, interlocking connections between each segment and the frame to hold those parts against relative angular movement, said main frame being provided with relatively large openings at diametrically opposite sides of the centers to permit the dumping of ashes therethrough', a grate section mounted upon the upper end of the hub to rotate therewith and provided with diametrically opposite wings, an additional grate section mounted upon the first named grate section to rotate therewith and provided with diametrically opposite wings midway between the wings of the first named section, said wings being disposed in the same plane and movable into and out of registration with the openings in the main grate, the portion of the second named grate section connecting its wings being extended across the upper end of the hub and central portion of the first named grate section and provided with air openings ther-ethrough, an ash support ing ring mounted upon the upper surfaces of both of the grate sections around the aperturedl central portion of the, second named grate'section and provided with air passages in its underside communicating with the openings in the grate sections and with the central opening in the ring.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of November, 1929.

, [FRANK-A. AUSTIN.

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